Thus at every point are we brought back to the single rule of law and the evidence under it,--the rule being that there must be an intent to remain, and the evidence being open to the judgment of the tribunal before which the question is raised. Especially must this be the case with the Senate, which will look through all technicalities, all cobwebs, to find the truth. Nor can the Senate be so unjust to any class of citizens as to say that a military commander may not acquire inhabitancy in a State where he is fixed by military duties, provided he so intends. All the adverse presumptions from military residency will be overcome at once by the _animus manendi_, so soon as this is proved. Do you remember, Sir, a pointed remark made by Lafayette in the French Chamber, shortly after Louis Philippe was crowned King? Astonishment was expressed that the great defender of Liberty should espouse the cause of a Bourbon and help him to the throne. Lafayette, with remarkable condensation of phrase, replied, that he was in favor of Louis Philippe, not _because_, but _notwithstanding_ he was a Bourbon,--“not _because_, but _notwithstanding_.” And in this famous saying of the great French-American you have terms strictly applicable to this case. General Ames, soldier, officer, military commander in Mississippi, became an inhabitant thereof, not _because_, but _notwithstanding_ he was soldier, officer, and military commander. A resolution of the Committee on the Judiciary, declaring General Ames “not eligible,” was on motion of Mr. Sumner amended by striking out the word “not,”--Yeas 40, Nays 12,--and thus amended was agreed to without a division. RATIFICATION OF THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT. SPEECH AT A SERENADE BEFORE MR. SUMNER’S HOUSE IN WASHINGTON, APRIL 1, 1870. The occasion was the promulgation by the Secretary of State of the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution. A large number of citizens, after calling upon the President and Vice-President, by whom they were addressed, proceeded to the house of Mr. Sumner, who appeared with his friend, Mr. James Wormley, and spoke as follows:-- FELLOW-CITIZENS,--I congratulate you upon the great result that has been accomplished. For years my hope and object have been to see the great promise of the Declaration of Independence changed into performance,--to see that that Declaration became a reality. [_Cheers._] This at last is nearly consummated. I do not say entirely consummated, for it is not.